WATCH: “Passing of the torch” – Mikey Musumeci masterfully submits Shinya Aoki with submission his rival invented
One Fight Night 15 featured a dream grappling contest between Shinya Aoki and Mikey Musumeci.
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Mikey Musumeci submitting Shinya Aoki at One Fight Night 15 (via Instagram)
Shinya Aoki reigned as an elite grappler in combat sports for a long time. The Japanese fighter has won over 45 fights in his career. Of those wins, 30 of them have come via submissions. However, his days as the top submission specialist at One Championship are over. He fought BJJ superstar Mikey Musumeci in an openweight submission grappling bout at One Fight Night 15.
In less than four minutes, Musumeci submitted Aoki via heel hook. Ironically, Musumeci used the submission technique that Aoki mastered. The result became the second time in a row that Aoki lost in a submission grappling contest. Last year, he lost to Kade Ruotolo via decision at ONE 157. At the moment, Musumeci reigns supreme as the most exciting submission grappler in One Championship.
Heading into the bout, Musumeci told FirstSportz that he did not have a good training camp. He was hospitalized due to food poisoning, and the doctors advised him to rest. However, Musumeci wanted to push himself to know about his limits. He considered it a challenge to compete against a dangerous Japanese submission specialist despite not being healthy. In the end, he emerged victorious. After the bout, both fighters showed their respect to one another.
Aoki also completed 20 years as a fighter. He started competing professionally in 2003, and now it is 2023. Aoki’s best days might be behind him, and Musumeci has a bright future ahead. Hence, some would consider it a passing of the torch moment. One Championship has laid a good foundation for submission grappling. They will surely attract more grapplers to join their promotion and put on amazing performances.
Fans react to the submission grappling contest between Shinya Aoki and Mikey Musumeci at One Fight Night 15
Mikey Musumeci is the One flyweight submission grappling champion. He took on Japanese legend Shinya Aoki at One Fight Night 15. Musumeci won the bout via heel hook submission in the first round. Check out how the fans reacted to the contest on X (formerly known as Twitter):
Fans were impressed with Musumeci’s skill level. Bloody Elbow reported that it was Aoki who first came up with a heel hook. Ironically, Musumeci submitted him with the same submission. Fans also expressed for others to hold Musumeci in the same regard as BJJ legend Gordon Ryan.
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